From the archives -- pastor dies in 1987

Published 10:02 pm, Sunday, November 11, 2012

Nov. 11, 1987: The board of directors for the Stamford Center for the Arts voted to demolish the remaining portion of the old Stamford Theatre on Atlantic Street and Tresser Boulevard and build in its place a 700-seat theater for the 1990-91 season.

"If we can pull it off, and we intend to try, it will really put Stamford on the theatrical map," said Board President Frank D. Rich Jr.

The move kills a previous plan for the site, which would have allowed the existing stage and backstage areas to stand. The theater was partially demolished earlier this year.

The board's unanimous vote is the latest chapter in the center's efforts to establish a viable and long-term arts presence in Stamford. After years of frustrating delays, center officials said they are finally on their way to building a flexible facility that will provide high quality programs for the city.

Nov. 13, 1987: Monsignor Alphonse J.V. Fiedorczyk, the retired pastor of the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Stamford who guided his Polish-American flock with the "roughness of a general and the heart of a grandmother," died at Yale-New Haven Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was 77.

American born and a former Army brigadier general, Monsignor Fiedorczyk continually stressed maintaining the Polish traditions of his parishioners. "Poland, Polish people and the Catholic faith are one," said the priest, who was the pastor of the Holy Name of Jesus Church for 15 years before retiring in 1986.

50 years ago

Nov. 15, 1962: Patrick F. Lowden, 28, of no known address, walked into police headquarters Wednesday afternoon and asked police detectives if they had been looking for him. They had.

In fact, to make certain he remained in police custody, authorities booked Lowden on charges of assault and robbery with violence, in connection with a mugging here on Nov. 3.

Police had been looking for Lowden since that date when they alleged he assaulted Anthony Pappas, 74, of 542 Main St., in the latter's apartment, took $104 from the man's wallet, and fled.

Under questioning by Captain of Detectives Ignatius F. Montagnino and detectives Albert Lombardo and Julius Koproski, Lowden, who first denied it, admitted the Stamford mugging, as well as several other jobs, police said.

100 years ago

Nov. 11, 1912: Unless the Board of Appropriation and Apportionment comes to the aid of the city and makes a special appropriation, it is very well likely that Stamford's streets will go unswept and uncared for from today until the new fiscal year begins. It has been discovered that the appropriation for streets has been exceeded somewhat and there is somewhat of a to do about it.

There is no more money available for streets apparently and today every street sweeper and every other street worker was taken off his job. Even the men who were at work on the West Side streets were taken off. It has been suggested that street work which has been given to a contractor over there be stopped.

Nov. 16, 1912: There has been talk during the last few days to the effect that increase in salaries will be asked, beginning with the next fiscal year, by a considerable number of those in the employ of the city. The police and firemen think that they ought to have more pay. It is proposed that an increase be given to the city engineer, the city health officer and his assistant, and several others. If, as proposed, the plan of employing a bookkeeper is carried out, and provision is made for a purchasing agent, the salary list would show a material increase, assuming that all the requests were granted.